Why You Need Curious Questions To Spark Innovation - Forbes

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A pandemic joke on social media asks: “Who’s driving your digital innovation?”

Option A: CEO

Option B: CTO

Option C: COVID-19

The health sector has had to change faster than most. Drones now deliver urgent medicines, 3-D printers churn out ‘hands-free’ door openers, and tiny sensors implanted in new face masks detect Covid symptoms.

This rapid innovation is reminiscent of the Second World War. That global conflict sparked the invention of the first digital computer, rocket technology, jet engines, pressurized plane cabins, radar - and even super glue and ballpoint pens. If necessity is the mother of invention, technology is often the father.

A pioneering spirit is now rippling through other industries. During the pandemic, billions of customers have undergone a Covid-sponsored digital crash course. People have become accustomed to at-home and low-touch options. These expectations will shape the world for years to come.

Smart business leaders are now preparing for a post-pandemic world. Global consultancy McKinsey & Company predicts: “2021 will be the year of transition. Barring any unexpected catastrophes, individuals, businesses, and society can start to look forward to shaping their futures rather than just grinding through the present.”

In this new reality, the skills needed to succeed are changing. Adaptability, agility, and imagination are prized by employers. Last year, LinkedIn analyzed data from over 20 million job posts. The research revealed creative thinking is now the most valued capability.

My research reveals it’s futile to aim directly for creativity. Far more effective to form habits that allow it to emerge spontaneously. Like happiness, creativity is a by-product of another activity. The fastest route to unleash imagination is via curiosity. And, the most effective way to encourage curious exploration is to ask more, and better, questions. Here are four top tips.

1. Ask Open Questions

An open question doesn’t lead to a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. That is a ‘closed’ question. The sort asked by prosecution lawyers. Closed questions are great for confirming what you already know. For example:

Testing understanding: "So, if I get this qualification, will I get a raise?"
Clarifying a decision: "Now we know the facts, is this is the right course of action?"

However, too many closed questions comes across as interrogation, rather than curiosity. Open questions are very different. They encourage exploration. The gap between good and great can be subtle and small. Consider the following:

Version 1: How are we going to tackle Project Unicorn before the end of the year?

Version 2: How might we tackle Project Unicorn before the end of the year?

Introducing the intriguing word ‘might’ invites a more creative response. The global design firm IDEO breaks down ‘how might we?’ questions into three parts:

How implies a solution exists.

Might suggests there's more than one way to solve the puzzle.

We implies a collaborative team approach to find the answer.

2. Add A Dash of Creativity

To go further, make it intriguing. A great question awakens your mind. A standard innovation question might be: “Who has an idea for improving our product?”. But, by adding a note of emotional tension and humor, you can unlock better results. Here’s the same request with a twist: “If we hosted a forum called ‘How Our Products & Services Suck,’ what topics would be on the main stage?”

3. Stop And Listen

When you’ve posed your open question, stop. Leave a pause, and don’t say another word. The better your question, the longer it takes for people to process and respond. We live in a world where quiet pauses are often filled to avoid embarrassment. When exploring the minds of other people, silence is golden.

4. Leaders Ask First

In the past, career success meant following the rules. Now we need employees prepared to question the status quo. It’s vital people in positions of influence go first. In theory, this should be easy. In practice, it’s difficult. A leader who asks questions reveals she doesn’t have all the answers. You have to overcome a fear of looking stupid.

Great questions feel dangerous because you genuinely don’t know the answer. However, when bosses display audacious humility, it invites those without power to step up. Leaders who ask questions like “Why do we do it this way?”, “What if…?” and “Why Not?” open a realm of possibilities in the minds of their colleagues.

So, may I suggest a new key performance indicator: Open Questions Per Day. Ask yourself: How many questions did I ask? What response did I get? What are the big questions for tomorrow? Because, without curious questions, innovation just doesn't happen.

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